Today we’re excited to be connecting with Benji Collotta again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Benji, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
My name is Benji Collotta and I am a hip hop artist/actor from Boston, MA
I have been making music for roughly 20 years and it has always been a form of therapy for me. I moved to L.A. in 2014 with a dollar and a dream, packing my car and making the cross country trek.
Though I had no aspirations to act, I went out for an audition as a rapper for a protein powder commercial and ended up booking the lead role. This opened my eyes to acting industry which I felt was deeply intertwined with the music world.
As I settled into life I it West, I started making some amazing connections which opened numerous doors for me. I started performing at clubs all over L.A. and was able to generate a buzz. I tapped in with several hip hop blogs including UGHH, who really helped promote my music.
I continued to focus on acting as well, taking classes and honing in on the craft. I was able to book a Burger King commercial which led me to joining the SAG-AFTRA union.
My music and acting careers seemed to be going in the right direction, but i stayed focused. It’s easy to get lost in the sauce when good things happen, but I knew that I was still far from where I wanted to be.
Continuously dropping new music, I knew that consistency would pay off. I played some amazing shows at venues like the Viper Room and Whiskey A Go-Go and made some great friends/fans along the way.
As an independent artist, I find that keeping your foot on the gas is the only way to see continued success. It’s an over saturated industry but there is a lot of other talented individuals who want it just as bad as you do.
I moved back east in 2022, to be closer to family and pursue acting in NYC. I have dropped 4 new projects in the last two years as well as numerous singles. I have done podcasts, radio shows and even flew back out to L.A. perform for the last scene in my friends film. I have had some great acting opportunities also and you can catch me on television and the big screen alike n
I am hungry as ever and continue to give both my music and acting careers everything I got. While I’ve evolved as a person and artist, my passion for connecting with people has not changed.
You can find my music on all platforms under COLLOTTA
I appreciate the support.
Peace!
Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Summed it up in the last post.
Been on my grind.
Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.
- Favorite Movie: Oceans 11
- Favorite Book: Outsiders
- Favorite TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Favorite Band or Artist: Too many to name.
- Sweet or Savory: Savory
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Football
- Favorite Sport (to play): Baseball
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Basketball, Baseball, football
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Entertainer
- French Fries or Onion Rings: Pom Frits
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Who
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Doug
- Favorite Childhood movie: Sandlot
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Bacon Egg and Cheese
What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
Wake up whenever I want. Walk steps from my apartment to the ocean. Have unlimited drinks and food served to me while surrounded my friends and family. Good music playing. Sun shining.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @collottahiphop
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/bencollotta
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@benjihiphop?si=g4ALhwFXhXJV7fmx
